Switzerland completes 5G spectrum auction raising $379 mn

February 8, 2019

Switzerland’s Federal Communications Commission (ComCom) announced the completion of 5G spectrum auction raising CHF 380 million or $379 million.
Salt, Sunrise and Swisscom purchased new frequencies in the auction conducted by Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) during 29 January and 7 February 2019. ComCom sold mobile radio frequencies in the 700 MHz, 1400 MHz and 3500 MHz spectrum bands.

The regulator revealed all these spectrum bands can be used for 5G by the leading three operators: Salt, Sunrise and Swisscom.

The government could not sell five frequency blocks of 5 MHz in the 2600 MHz band and in the 700 and 1400 MHz ranges.

ComCom will assign the frequencies for 15 years, giving the operators long-term planning security to develop their networks in Switzerland.

Swisscom 5G

Swisscom said it has paid 196 million Swiss francs to acquire the frequency bands for 5G network.

Swisscom aims to launch 5G network in 60 Swiss towns and communities by the end of 2019. Ericsson, the third largest telecom network supplier in the world, is assisting Swisscom for the development of 5G network.

The bid of CHF 196 million is viewed as exceptional and was not included in the capital investments of around CHF 2.3 billion projected for 2019.

Swisscom CEO Urs Schaeppi said: “The first 5G-enabled devices are expected to reach the Swiss market in the next few months and will allow customers to enjoy higher speeds, faster response times and better capacity.”

Swisscom acquired 46 percent of the frequencies purchased by all bidders for 5G and previous mobile communication generations. Swisscom purchased spectrum ranges of 2×15 on 700 MHz; 50 on 1400 MHz and 120 on 3500 MHz.